SPONGES AND DISH TOWELS

Thursday

Sep 20, 2012 at 12:01 AMOct 18, 2012 at 5:38 PM

I don’t often rant. But when I find my favorite kitchen equipment “downgraded” I get grumpy. For years I have used a certain company’s natural sponges and luxurious cloth dishtowels. When I wanted to economize, these were two items that could not be compromised. I continued to use them even when the company raised their prices. Nothing seemed as good as a really absorbent dish towel. Or a fine sea sponge, especially the small ones that fit well in my hand.

So! Imagine my surprise when I recently dropped into the shop – I will not mention the name, but it is a well-respected national chain for home kitchen supplies – and bought a nice big bag of goodies, one a somewhat pricey knife, and some packages of sponges and dish towels.

And! (Previous word is intentionally exclaimed: I want to show that I’m ranting.) Imagine my surprise when I used the dishtowels, still 100% cotton, but so downgraded a type of fiber that they were no longer absorbent.

Then! (Still ranting.) Imagine my surprise when the sponges started to shred after the first use.

Anyway! (Yup, still at it.) I’m heading for Crate & Barrel for my kitchen towels, sponges, and equipment. And to Stonewall Kitchen for all other specialty items. To paraphrase The Boss, “No return, no surrender.”

I don’t often rant. But when I find my favorite kitchen equipment “downgraded” I get grumpy. For years I have used a certain company’s natural sponges and luxurious cloth dishtowels. When I wanted to economize, these were two items that could not be compromised. I continued to use them even when the company raised their prices. Nothing seemed as good as a really absorbent dish towel. Or a fine sea sponge, especially the small ones that fit well in my hand.

So! Imagine my surprise when I recently dropped into the shop – I will not mention the name, but it is a well-respected national chain for home kitchen supplies – and bought a nice big bag of goodies, one a somewhat pricey knife, and some packages of sponges and dish towels.

And! (Previous word is intentionally exclaimed: I want to show that I’m ranting.) Imagine my surprise when I used the dishtowels, still 100% cotton, but so downgraded a type of fiber that they were no longer absorbent.

Then! (Still ranting.) Imagine my surprise when the sponges started to shred after the first use.

Anyway! (Yup, still at it.) I’m heading for Crate & Barrel for my kitchen towels, sponges, and equipment. And to Stonewall Kitchen for all other specialty items. To paraphrase The Boss, “No return, no surrender.”